The Steelers just rolled over the Saints 16-10 in Paris, and if you watched, you know exactly who was running the show: Jaylen Warren. This dude has been the focal point of the Steelers offense all season long, and that did not change one bit today, delivering big plays both on the ground and catching passes.
The Warren & Dowdle Power Hour
Forget about the quarterbacks for a minute, because while Aaron Rodgers and Tyler Shough were both fine, they weren’t spectacular. The real story, the undeniable difference maker in this game, was the Steelers’ running game. Jaylen Warren absolutely torched the Saints’ defense, finishing with a monster 18 carries for 101 yards, plus snagging three catches for another 36 yards. And it wasn’t a solo act either, Rico Dowdle was right there with him, adding nine carries for 41 yards and six catches for 45 yards. This duo was relentless, picking up yardage consistently. Meanwhile, the Saints’ backfield, Alvin Kamara and Kendre Miller, just could not get anything going against that Steelers front. Kamara managed only five yards on six carries, and Miller six yards on eight carries. That’s pure dominance.
Defense Clamps Down, Rodgers Delivers When It Counts
Speaking of that Steelers front, it was flat-out dominant all game long. Saints running backs were going nowhere, and linebacker Patrick Queen had a huge day anchoring that defense. It wasn’t just the run game winning it, the defense was a brick wall. And when it came down to crunch time, Rodgers, even without a spectacular passing day, showed up with his legs. On a crucial third-and-6 just before the two-minute warning, he ripped off an eight-yard run that kept the game-clinching drive alive. That’s championship stuff right there. Unfortunately for the Saints, not only did they take the L, they also took some hits to the roster. Safety Justin Reid left the game with a concussion, and running back CJ Donaldson had to exit with a shoulder injury. Barion Brown did his best to spark the Saints in a losing effort, leading them with 57 receiving yards, and adding a 42-yard kickoff return and a 20-yard punt return. He was a bright spot for them, but it wasn’t enough.
AFC North Race Heating Up
With this victory, the Steelers are now sitting pretty at 5-2. They are absolutely in the thick of the race in the very competitive AFC North. Every game matters in that division, and a win like this, even if it wasn’t flashy, shows they can grind it out. The Saints, on the other hand, fall to 2-5. They’re still technically “not out of it” in the NFC South, but they’ve got some serious work to do if they want to make any noise this season. For the Steelers, every game is a battle in that division, and they’re showing they’re ready for it.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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